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Could you tell me whats wrong with my calathea based on roots?

Olesya Ruslanovna

5 years ago

My calathea has been slowly starting to droop in the past 2 weeks. I last watered it 5 days ago, and I have been thinking that I overwatered it. However after looking at the soil it seems like the soil is evenly moist (on the drier side of moist) and the outer roots in the picture are definitely not wet... I can't tell if the roots are healthy or not either due to their yellowish tint. So I cannot tell if it is an overwatered or underwatered plant... Can someone help me out with what to do next? Thank you!

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Comments (2)

Embothrium
5 years ago
Looks dry to me.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
when roots get to the bottom to the pot.. and start circling the bottom .. that usually means its time to put it in a bigger pot ... with fresh media ...

this happens.. because the roots are following the flow of the water thru the media ....

once that happens.. then the plant will start searching thru the gob of media ... but less of the water goes thru the center of the gob .... tech term there ....

the net effect is that no matter how much water you put in the top.. the plant cant use it efficiently ...

also.. by the time this usually happens.. the media is worn out.. and complicating it all ...

media is a water management system.. and once you understand that.. perhaps you can manage it all better ... when you lose the ability to manage it.. then change it .. very simple rule ... [im not familiar with this plant... but when you repot.. perhaps it is time to pull it apart.. and make a couple plants .. if it is possible with this plant ...]

enlarging the first pic.. my gut is saying.. you got a lot of plant.. in a very small pot.. and imo.. that the base issue ...

personally.. here in MI .. i would just cope with it for a month or so.. so i could make the mess outside on a warmish day ... instead of having to clean the house after repotting ...

ken

ps: in the meantime.. you might try flooding the pot by placing it in a large container of water ... for an hour or so ... and then letting it drain properly ... so you insure you have moistened all the media ... and btw ... i see no root rot.. so you arent over watering since you arent rotting off the roots ... [if it floats .. that indicates just how dry the gob is.... let it stand in the water until its no longer floating .. meaning the media is sodden ... and then dont water again for a week or 2 ...] .. i use a dollar store dish pan for this ... with my forced air furnace.. sucking all the humidity out of the house.. i have to do this with a lot of my larger houseplants.. this time of year ...

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=plastic+dish+pan&t=ffcm&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images

pps: there is also a houseplant forum where you might get more guidance .... especially in regard to a good media to use ...
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